Early and midterm results of extended septal myectomy: Indian experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a genetic disorder, which is a cause of significant morbidity and sudden cardiac death. Extended septal myectomy (ESM) is the therapeutic gold standard to treat left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in HOCM resulting in long-term symptomatic relief. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of ESM on midterm symptom relief, LVOTO, and survival in patients suffering from HOCM in the Indian population. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 36 consecutive symptomatic patients with HOCM having symptoms refractory to medical treatment and LVOTO with resting gradient ≥ 50 mmHg and who underwent ESM at our institution from 2010 to 2019. Preoperative and postoperative transthoracic echocardiography was performed to assess left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient, septal thickness, and assessment of valvar and cardiac function. RESULTS: ESM was performed successfully in all 36 patients. The mean preoperative LVOT gradient was 113.06 ± 36.70 mmHg and decreased to 15.17 ± 7.30 mmHg (p < .0001) in the initial postoperative period. There were two in-hospital deaths (5.6%). There was no further mortality in the subsequent follow-up. The mean septal thickness was 23.89 ± 5.77 mm preoperatively and 13.17 ± 3.48 mm (p < .0001) postoperatively. During a mean follow-up of 2 years, the NYHA functional class improved from 3.50 ± 0.70 (III-IV) to 1.50 ± 0.70 (I) (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: ESM results in immediate abolition of mechanical obstruction to LVOT with normalization of left ventricular pressure and eliminates symptoms associated with HOCM.

Unusual left ventricle to left atrial fistula.

Left ventricular to left atrial fi stula is a very uncommon finding. Most of the cases are secondary to surgical procedures or paravalvular infectious process. The present case depicted an unusual regurgitation (apart from transmitral MR) through LV-LA fistula causing deterioration of the patient's symptoms.

Perioperative management in a patient with panhypopituitarism - evidence based approach: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hypopituitarism is characterized by partial or complete deficiency of vital endocrinological hormones such as steroid and thyroid hormones. Generally, normal individual can exhibit 2- to 10-folds rise in serum cortisol levels during stressful period. But patients with panhypopituitarism are more prone to develop metabolic and haemodynamic instability particularly during stressful perioperative period. This can potentially increase significant morbidity and mortality. CASE SUMMARY: A 62-year-old female patient presented with breathlessness on exertion. Her coronary angiography revealed critical triple vessel coronary artery disease, and she was scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. She had been diagnosed with Sheehan's syndrome (postpartum hypopituitarism) since 20 years. She was taking steroid and thyroxine regularly. After uneventful off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, patient had severe haemodynamic compromise with Addisonian crisis in the post-operative phase. Left ventricular dysfunction was refractory to maximal inotropic therapy. Addisonian crisis was treated with higher 'Stress doses' of intravenous hydrocortisone and routine oral thyroxin. DISCUSSION: Acute Addisonian crisis after stressful surgery is a life-threatening complication. Evidence-based approach plays an important role in appropriate biochemical assessments and specific therapeutic decisions regarding hormonal over-replacement or under-replacement in the perioperative period.

Massive subcutaneous emphysema after off-pump coronary bypass surgery.

Subcutaneous emphysema is a condition when air gets accumulated into the tissues under the skin and in the soft tissues of the chest wall or neck but can also spread to other parts of the body. It generally causes minimal symptoms and nonlethal; sometimes, it may be severe and life-threatening if deeper tissues of the thoracic outlet and chest are involved. It is essential to know the mechanisms of subcutaneous emphysema after cardiac surgery.

Inadequate venous drainage-transesophageal echocardiography as rescue.

Malposition of venous cannula can cause inadequate venous drainage during cardiopulmonary bypass. It would be good clinical practice to use TEE to check the position of inferior venous cannula to avoid this problem at the earliest.

LA mass shadow after removal of LA myxoma.

Inverted left atrial tissue is mostly identified when the heart is empty while coming off bypass. During echocardiography a new, echodense mobile mass in the left atrium without attachment is visualized. Such a picture can easily produce not only confusion in the diagnosis but also mitral valve obstruction, hemodynamic instability, and a possibility of appendage necrosis. Inability to identify such inverted tissue can lead to unwanted interventions with additional cardiopulmonary bypass time.

Bentall Surgery in a Patient with Cold Agglutinin and Antiphospholipid Antibody: Double Trouble.

Cold agglutinin disease is an uncommon disease with potential to cause hemolysis and thrombosis during hypothermic cardiac surgery. Antiphospholipid syndrome is also rare disease with hypercoagulation tendacy. Perioperative management of both these diseases is challenging. We present successful perioperative management of high risk Bentall surgery in patient with both these dreadful diseases.

Left ventricular mass: myxoma or thrombus?

Patient with embolic episode should always be evaluated for cardiac mass. Mass in left ventricular can be a myxoma or thrombus even in a normal functioning heart. In either case, mobile mass with embolic potential should be surgically resected.

Thrombus on pacemaker lead.

A 58-year-old male was admitted with history of shortness of breath and recurrent fever since two months. He had undergone permanent pacemaker implantation six years back for complete heart block. The patient was persistently having thrombocytopenia. Echocardiographic examination revealed mass (size 4.28 cm(2)) attached to pacemaker lead in right atrium. The patient was scheduled for open-heart surgery for removal of right atrial mass. During surgery, pacemaker leads and pulse generator were also removed along with mass considering the possible source of infection.